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Angels PA announcer Courtney passes away

Angels PA announcer Courtney passes away

David Courtney, a heralded public-address announcer for the Angels, Kings and Clippers in Southern California, has died, the Angels confirmed on Thursday. He was 56.

For the last 18 years, Courtney served as the Angels' PA announcer, introducing players ranging from Tim Salmon to Vladimir Guerrero to Mike Trout. He did the same for the NHL's Los Angeles Kings the last 24 seasons and was in his fifth season with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, having also announced for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams in their final four seasons before moving to St. Louis after the 1994 season.

His work as an announcer led to voice roles in the movies "Angels in the Outfield," "61*," and "Tooth Fairy," as well as the sitcom "Home Improvement."

"The Angels family is deeply saddened to hear of David's passing," the team said in a statement. "He was a gentle soul, a consummate professional and an unforgettable voice tied to several professional Southern California sports teams. Over the past 18 years, his love, dedication and passion for the Angels was evident every time his voice rang through the ballpark. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David's family at this difficult time."

Born in New York City, Courtney and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1963 when his father, Alan, a network television executive, became president of MGM Television.

Courtney began working in pro sports at age 14, starting out as a public-relations assistant for the Kings in 1971 and eventually becoming a backup for legendary PA announcer John Ramsay on the Kings and Lakers.

Courtney became PR director for the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in '78, shortly began a radio and T.V. broadcasting career, then started doing PA announcing for the Houston Rockets, Astros and Gamblers (of the short-lived United States Football League).

That spawned a career that saw Courtney announce sporting events for over 30 different teams or organizations, also announcing for the Lakers, Dodgers and Raiders, as well as USC football, UCLA basketball and the Pac-12 men's basketball tournament. Since 1992, he also worked full-time as a traffic, news or sports reporter, most recently employed on KABC and KLAA in Los Angeles and KOLA in Inland Empire, Calif.

Courtney is survived by his wife, Janet Fisher-Courtney, who resided with him in Mission Viejo, Calif.

In honor of Courtney, Angel Stadium lit up the Halo and flashed his picture on the message board of the "Big A."